
Hashknife Hartley and Sleepy Stevens - 50-xx-xx (1) The Double Cross
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W.C. Tuttle
This is W.C. tuttle's famous adventure story of Hash Knife Hartley and Sleepy Stevens. From the pages of America's best loved writer of Western tales come Hash Knife and Sleepy, roving heroes of the ageless west, starring Frank Martin as Hash Knife Hartley and Barton Yarborough as Sleepy Stephens. Here now is the creator of these rough and tumble cowboys, WC Tuttle himself, ready to begin today's story called the Double Cross. Howdy folks. Ashknife and Sleepy have just ridden into the outskirts of Arroyo City. As they pass a small and homey little cottage, Sleepy quietly observes, son, when I get too old and tired to chase over them far off hills, that's the kind of place I'm gonna settle down in.
Hash Knife Hartley
Yeah, cowboy, it's real home life. Man could find a lot of peace and quiet there.
W.C. Tuttle
But appearances are deceiving.
Hash Knife Hartley
For although this was the preacher's home.
W.C. Tuttle
The peace and quiet was soon broken by a violently interrupted wedding. Unaware of what was about to happen, Hash Knife and Sleepy road on into Arroyo City ground, hitched their horses in some shade and headed for the Silk Hat Saloon. Mighty glad to get in out of the scorching midday Arizona sun. While working on a dusty trail does Thirst the two roving cow folks noticed.
Hash Knife Hartley
That the bartender, Slim Conover, appeared to be mighty upset.
W.C. Tuttle
Well, friend, you're nervous. You're in a small boy in a dark room. That's the second time you missed the glass. Something eating on you? Yeah. Yeah, it sure is. I'm scared I told something I shouldn't.
Hash Knife Hartley
How's that?
W.C. Tuttle
Well, remember that big Feller Ed Harmon, who came in here a few minutes ago asking for Otto Myers. I told him Otto was out of town. Then he asked for Tom Knight.
Hash Knife Hartley
Well, I think I can manage being all at 10 minutes. What about it?
W.C. Tuttle
Well, Otto Myers is the sheriff and Tom's his deputy. You see, I loaned Tom my claw hammer coat. Loaned him his watertail, huh? Yeah, well, of course, that clears everything up.
Hash Knife Hartley
You also told him that this Tom Feller was acting his best man. When he asked you where, you said at the preacher's house.
W.C. Tuttle
You're awful observing. I kind of hope I didn't make it that plain.
Hash Knife Hartley
So wedding's taking place?
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah, wedding, marriage, ruins more nice young fellas. Yeah, well, I'll tell you. Hey, come on. Don't see nobody trying to get away.
Hash Knife Hartley
Must use a rifle in one of the buildings. I never find him. Now take a look at the target.
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah.
Hash Knife Hartley
Yeah, good shooting. Both shots had his number on him. He won't be needing a sheriff now.
W.C. Tuttle
Who is he, the doggone? That's Ed Harmon. Owns the Circle H spread. Biggest in the valley. Yeah, and was the father of the prettiest gal in Yavapai Basin. Poor little Joy. Real pretty, huh? Yep, real purty. And she was one half of that wedding table and the other half was Jimmy Pierce. Nice youngster. A little quick on the trigger, but likable. Say, somebody better get Doc McBride and Sawbones.
Hash Knife Hartley
We can't do harm and any good now.
W.C. Tuttle
I know, but we're real law abiding in the arroyo city. Nobody's dead here till Doc says so. Now it's going to be right interesting hearing you explain that to the late Ed Harmon there. Well, it's about time, Doc. I couldn't get here any sooner, Slim. I came as soon as I heard. Now, let's take a look here. Ed Harbin is quite dead. Hmm. Amazing what Dr. Schooling will do. Man, have I got something to tell her. Lord a mighty. That's Ed Harmon. Dead? Mm. Just made legal by the dock here. Who are you? Tom meet up with Has Knife Hartley and Sleepy Stevens. They was here when Ed got it. Boy, this here is Tom Knight. He's deputy to Sheriff Otto Mars. Oh, hi. Ed Harmon dead. Oh, my gosh. Well, Tom, I didn't know you were that attached to Ed. It ain't that. This ain't good.
Hash Knife Hartley
Most killings ain't, Mr. Duffy.
W.C. Tuttle
Tom, what are you talking about? Well, it's this way. Joy Harmon and Jimmy Pierce and me was at the preacher's house where Jimmy and Joy was Getting married. Ed Harmon busted in and grabbed a handful of Jimmy's shirt, yanked a moose from the floor, smashed him on the chin, throwed him out the yard. Then he took Joy by the arm and yanked her out of the house. Sort of looks like Harmon didn't want his daughter to marry that Pierce fella. And with Jimmy's temper, he's liver. How am I saying? Well, there ain't much we can do until Sheriff Myers gets back. Now, would some of you boys carry it over to my place? Sure, Doc. Then we'd all better go to the sheriff's office. I'd ought to be back pretty soon. Oh, Tom, before you go, better give me back my coat, huh? Oh. Oh, yeah, yeah. Slim here. Is that the coat you was stewing about, Slim? Yeah. Why? That's what I'm wondering. Why. What was you doing at the wedding, Tom? Well, me and I'm Jimmy's best friend. I was acting as best man. At least I was till Harmon came in. Mm. And where was you when the shooting took place? On my hands and knees at the preacher's house, trying to find the wedding ring.
Hash Knife Hartley
What become of Jimmy Pierce?
W.C. Tuttle
I don't know. Hardly never seen him after he was throwed out through the front door. You sure ain't much help. Go saddle up the horses, Tom. We're going out and bring in Jimmy Pierce. Oh, now, looky here. Sheriff Jimmy never. Tom. All right. Meet you at the stable.
Hash Knife Hartley
Sheriff, you think this Jimmy Pierce shot Harmon?
W.C. Tuttle
I don't know what to think. I just can't figure Jimmy doing a thing like that.
Hash Knife Hartley
Did Harmon have any known enemies?
W.C. Tuttle
No, I don't know. Oh? What kind of answer is that? Well, Harmon Circle Leach is the biggest spread on the range. He also owns the Arroyo City San Miguel stage line. He's made money, and some folks might be envious. Oh, yeah. I know the fella once who was a dad. Bucket full of envious soap. The jailhouse death. Why begrudged the free room and board them poor jail intimates was getting.
Hash Knife Hartley
Yeah, how was Intimates? How was Harmon with his money?
W.C. Tuttle
Oh, Ed was right free with his money. Only a month ago, he offered $3,000 reward for. Gee, that's something the plum forgot.
Hash Knife Hartley
What's that?
W.C. Tuttle
The reward Ed posted for the capture of El Pintado. El. What is that?
Hash Knife Hartley
Spanish cowboy. Means a pinto, don't it? But why that handle?
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah, it does. Well, this fellow always rides a black and white horse. He done a lot of killing and robbing, mostly on the stages. Well, all you got to do to find this feller is find the pinto horse. And then you, Stevens, all the lawmen in this country have tried to do just that. But there ain't one pinto in this whole range.
Hash Knife Hartley
For a range hotel, this place sure sets a good table.
W.C. Tuttle
Oh, it's so. So. I keep wondering about yesterday, son. Ain't you curious about what's going on?
Ritual Representative
Mm.
Hash Knife Hartley
Yeah.
W.C. Tuttle
Hotel man said they brought that Jimmy Pearson in late last night. We might go over to Jill House and word grind him a little bit.
Hash Knife Hartley
Yeah, might. But he'll keep. Right now I kind of like to nose around those hills just east of town.
W.C. Tuttle
Why there?
Hash Knife Hartley
Rough country close to Arroyo City. Make awful good hiding out place for somebody you'd want to hide out.
W.C. Tuttle
Well, who would want to hide out there?
Hash Knife Hartley
That bent old feller maybe.
W.C. Tuttle
See anything? Hasn't I?
Hash Knife Hartley
No. Brush is too thick. Better hold up. This here's about as far as we can go.
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah. Ho ho ho. Well, what do you know? A blind canyon. Look at them walls. Straight up.
Hash Knife Hartley
Uh huh. Well, I guess. Sleepy, you smell anything?
W.C. Tuttle
No. Cancer.
Hash Knife Hartley
Uh oh.
W.C. Tuttle
Smoke. And you don't need to remind me that where there's smoke, there's fire. Let's get on out of here.
Hash Knife Hartley
Easy, cowboy. Look back there, the way we came.
W.C. Tuttle
Look at that fire. It's coming faster than a spooked up maverick full of loco weed suddenly caught. Boy, I just hope I ain't gonna be as sorry as I think I'm gonna be.
Hash Knife Hartley
Only way out the way we came in.
W.C. Tuttle
Turn that Appaloosa yours around and start rolling toward it. We can find a way through it. Levy. Rick. Pull over here to right. Get that wall. Are you crazy? Don't argue. Get on this overhang rock quick.
Hash Knife Hartley
Ain't much but the outcrop. Right angle of the candy like this might funnel a fire away from it. Now your bandana over his eye. We got a chance of making them by staying right here.
W.C. Tuttle
If a horse don't fold.
Hash Knife Hartley
I never realized what a blessing water really was. So we got out of that blazing canyon and found this creek with a regular swimming hole in it.
W.C. Tuttle
Hey, what's the matter with you, son? You've got a rock digging in your back?
Hash Knife Hartley
No, I just thinking that pinto feller must have seen it. Sure trapped us Slick.
W.C. Tuttle
Darn near roasted him right now.
Hash Knife Hartley
Looks like he's holding all aces and face cards. He knows who we are, but we don't know who he is.
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah, it kind of scares me right now. I feel like I ain't got enough backbone to hang up and Rattle.
Hash Knife Hartley
Well, we might go back to the Royal City jail, have a little talk of that Jimmy Pierce fellow.
W.C. Tuttle
Well, then, let's hurry. Come on. I was pretty mad and figured I'd better get out of town before he did something I'd be sorry for.
Hash Knife Hartley
Did you gun down Ed Harmon, Jimmy?
W.C. Tuttle
I swear I didn't. I didn't like him, but I'd never kill him.
Hash Knife Hartley
Well, busted up the wedding and worked you over good. I'd say he did that because he didn't like you.
W.C. Tuttle
Look, hash knife, old man Harmon had a lot of money. I'm a cowhand. Make 30amonth.
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W.C. Tuttle
Step into the world of power, loyalty, and luck. I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse. With family. Cannol and spins mean everything.
Hash Knife Hartley
Now you want to get mixed up.
W.C. Tuttle
In the family business. Introducing the godfather@chubbaccino.com test your luck in the shadowy world of the Godfather slots. Someday I will call upon you to do a service for me. Play the Godfather now@Champacasino.com Welcome to the family.
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W.C. Tuttle
I guess he figured I couldn't take care of Joy properly on that.
Hash Knife Hartley
Harmon have any enemies you know of? I mean, anyone that want to kill him?
W.C. Tuttle
No. Harmon was a big operator. Probably trampled on a few toes, but I don't know of anyone would want to murder him. Hi, son. I wasn't sure you'd still be here.
Hash Knife Hartley
Sleepy, this is Jimmy Pierce.
W.C. Tuttle
Why Jimmy? Did you find out anything nice now?
Hash Knife Hartley
Not much. But Pierce here has convinced me he didn't kill Jaime.
W.C. Tuttle
Oh, son. I could have told you that. It was that dad busted Pinto feller, done he? But he couldn't.
Hash Knife Hartley
What was you gonna say?
W.C. Tuttle
Nothing. Nothing at all.
Hash Knife Hartley
Sleepy said this Pinto fella must have done Harmon. You said he couldn't. You know something and you're holding back.
W.C. Tuttle
No. No, I ain't, Hash knife. Look, young fella, you got about the same prospect as a three weeks old jackrabbit in a coyote pack. You didn't kill Harmon. Maybe High Snife here can help you out of this mess. But you got the string along too.
Hash Knife Hartley
Well.
W.C. Tuttle
Well, I didn't want to say anything. I kept the secret because of Joy. You two gotta promise me not to tell anybody what I'm gonna tell you.
Hash Knife Hartley
We'll promise. If it won't protect no killer.
W.C. Tuttle
It won't. Because you see, El Pentado couldn't have killed Ed Harmon. Well, dad, Gummet, don't stop now. Because Ed Harmon was El Pentado. Why?
Hash Knife Hartley
You sure?
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah, I know. And I wish I didn't.
Hash Knife Hartley
How come you're so certain? Can you prove it?
W.C. Tuttle
Sure. It was like this about three years ago. Easy with that tree. Easy with us. Jimmy, they would bust in right now. Howdy, Sheriff. Tom.
Hash Knife Hartley
Well, Sleepy, guess we better be moseying and let Jimmy eat in peace.
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah, I reckon so.
Hash Knife Hartley
Thank you, Tom, for letting me. Jaws. Jimmy.
W.C. Tuttle
Oh, sure. Anytime, Hartley.
Hash Knife Hartley
Come on, Sleepy. That's great.
W.C. Tuttle
Well, thanks. Bye, Sleepy. Where are we going to, son?
Hash Knife Hartley
I want to take a little pass here out to the Harmon spread.
W.C. Tuttle
Well, now, we've been out to the Harmon place. Did you find out anything at. Hell, yeah.
Hash Knife Hartley
Not much.
W.C. Tuttle
That means you did get something. You gonna tell me? I don't think.
Hash Knife Hartley
Well, when we was looking over the riding stock, I got the makings of an idea how that pinto horse business might be working.
W.C. Tuttle
Made a particular point to find out.
Hash Knife Hartley
Which was Ed Harmon's mouth. Soon as I saw it, I began to put two and two together.
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah, well, will you quit gen and hoeing? You got me busting with furiosity.
Hash Knife Hartley
Good work. Real easy. You see Harmon's ho head them rocks, baby.
W.C. Tuttle
I'm way ahead of you, son. Dad. Busted. If it's that pin old feller again, so help me, I'm gonna blow his head. Better pile down, old fell Haggie. You're sleepy or I'll have to catch.
Hash Knife Hartley
This pin old feller all by myself.
W.C. Tuttle
Oh, ain't you funny, Haggard? Don't shoot.
Hash Knife Hartley
It's me, Dennis.
W.C. Tuttle
Here. Over here.
Hash Knife Hartley
Pierce.
W.C. Tuttle
Hold to that rifle.
Hash Knife Hartley
All right, Penny. Yeah. There you. He's Holstin his rifle. Better keep him covered though, son.
W.C. Tuttle
He's covered like a marshmallow on a ant hill. How come he's out of jail?
Hash Knife Hartley
How do I know? Keep your finger on the place. We'll find out in a minute, Doc.
W.C. Tuttle
John. I thought you two never start back from Harmon.
Hash Knife Hartley
Jimmy, How'd you get out of jail?
W.C. Tuttle
Tom Knight worked it while after you left, he went over to the Silk Hat and heard the boys talking about the killing of Ed Harmon. Seems they figured I was sore about him beating me up and that I'd done it. Well, most of the boys was drinking. You know how whiskey talk is. Well, they got themselves all worked up and decided a lynching would cure me of my evil. Way it might at that, Sleepy. Look, Jimmy, you never did finish telling us how you figured Ed Harmon was a pinto fellow. Oh, that's right. The sheriff and Tom come busting in with the vittles. Well, about three years ago, I seen that pinto horse for the first time.
Hash Knife Hartley
It was Ed's horse and his horse was white. And he daubed it with mud or clay or something and made a pinto out of it. Run a horse in a creek and it was white again.
W.C. Tuttle
Simple. How'd you know that?
Hash Knife Hartley
Guess been done before. No pintos on this range, so it'd have to be a white horse fast as black or a black horse picked up with white somewhere.
W.C. Tuttle
What if I ain't a regular double dyed double Chuck? You got it figured right, Hashner. I caught Ed once making change on his horse. That's why he hated me. I never told, though, because of Joy, one thing.
Hash Knife Hartley
Oh, bothers me. If Ed Harmon had a lot of money, why'd he go around robbing as this pinto feller?
W.C. Tuttle
I don't know. Unless it was because Ed Harmon was the kind of fell that never got enough. The more he got, the more he wanted. Well, I better be going. And thanks, fellas, for trying to help.
Hash Knife Hartley
Jimmy, promise me something, will you?
W.C. Tuttle
You sure, Hanson?
Hash Knife Hartley
Even if Tom brings you the grub and money, don't pull out until after I've seen you again. Huh?
W.C. Tuttle
Huh? Oh, now, look, I better get. You better do just like Hash Knife says. When that nose of his gets a twitching like it is now, he's on the trail or something. Thank you, Hash Knife.
Hash Knife Hartley
Maybe. Well, what do you say?
W.C. Tuttle
Well, all right, Hash Knife, I'll take a chance. I'll wait at the Lion Shackle to hear from you.
Hash Knife Hartley
Good. Now let's get going. Sleepy, I got the nosing around I.
W.C. Tuttle
Want to do in Arroyo City.
Hash Knife Hartley
My luck holds good, I might come up with some amazing answers.
W.C. Tuttle
Hey. Yup.
Hash Knife Hartley
Now, look, Slim, this is mighty important. You sure there ain't been no lynch talk here at the Silk Hat?
W.C. Tuttle
How many times I have to tell you there ain't been no lynch talk? In fact, Arroyo City has been A special pride since Ed Harmon was killed.
Hash Knife Hartley
Uh huh.
W.C. Tuttle
And what did uh huh mean? Hey, I just recollected something. You boy just got back in town. Maybe you ain't heard the news.
Hash Knife Hartley
What news?
W.C. Tuttle
Well, shortly after you come in here yesterday asking directions to the Harmon place, Jimmy Pierce busted out of jail. He did? Oh, that's against the law or something. Eh?
Hash Knife Hartley
How'd he do it?
W.C. Tuttle
He jumped Tom Knight and grabbed his gun when he wasn't looking. Threatened to kill Tom if he didn't let him out. Learn to find. But beginning to think Jimmy might have shot Ed Harmon after all. Just think of that. Threatening to kill your best man.
Hash Knife Hartley
Tom Knight said Jimmy threatened to kill him.
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah. Then Jimmy bragged how he fooled everyone being El Pintado. Huh.
Hash Knife Hartley
So Tom says Jimmy admitted to being the pinto fella.
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah, said he needed money for joy. Well, that Jim was a big as flat as face, Lara. So he was a pinto feller after all.
Hash Knife Hartley
Thanks, Lim. Come on cowboy, we got places to go.
W.C. Tuttle
Why you ain't said where we're headed for the sea.
Hash Knife Hartley
Deputy Sheriff Tom Knight.
W.C. Tuttle
Well, why him?
Hash Knife Hartley
Well, ain't you figured it out yet?
W.C. Tuttle
Figured what out?
Hash Knife Hartley
Sleepy, sometimes I kind of get the feeling you got more brawn than brains. On second thought, about 50. 50 I'd say.
W.C. Tuttle
Well, thank you, sir. But if Jimmy Pierce is that pinto fella why we brought in with that jug headed Debbie, let's get him ourselves.
Hash Knife Hartley
We're still going to see the sheriff and Tom Knight.
W.C. Tuttle
Oh, let's go get the pinto.
Hash Knife Hartley
You know, Sleepy, when a good lord was passing out brains, you must have been better hid out than Moses in a bull rusher.
W.C. Tuttle
I sure was all wrong about Jimmy. Never figured he'd turn bad the way he did. Ah, me being Jimmy's best friend, I sure hate to join this posse with you. Sheriff Tom, what gave you the idea.
Hash Knife Hartley
That maybe you'll be in this shack?
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah, Tom, we could be wasting a lot of time riding clear out here to some butte if you get strong. Oh, just a hunch. Of course, I ain't certain he'll be there. I got a feeling he might. Well, you still fish up here? Hey, Sn. What is happening? I'm as confused as a commanche brave at a quilting be.
Hash Knife Hartley
Just hang on sweetie. It won't be long.
W.C. Tuttle
B. Pull up here. Go ahead. On foot. This way. Keep it quiet. Smoke coming out of the chimney. Uhhuh. That means Mike. Guess what? Hold it. There he is fishing down at the creek. Well, I for one ain't gonna Take no chance with that murdering.
Hash Knife Hartley
Hold it, Tom.
W.C. Tuttle
Oh, hey, how do you grab my arm? Jimmy.
Hash Knife Hartley
Jimmy Pierce.
W.C. Tuttle
Don't reach for your gun.
Hash Knife Hartley
We got you covered. Come on. Peaceable with your hands up.
W.C. Tuttle
Stop has knack and Tom. You both tricked me. You lied to me.
Hash Knife Hartley
Take it easy. You'll be fair treated.
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah, I sure hate to bet on that. Jimmy Pierce, I hereby arrest you for the.
Hash Knife Hartley
Hold it, Sheriff.
W.C. Tuttle
It was it.
Hash Knife Hartley
There have been some monkey shines going on you ain't been aware of. Just stand easy. It'll work out, Jimmy. You can let your hands down now. Answer me one question. Was Tom Knight ever in love with Joy Harmon?
W.C. Tuttle
Smooth. Yeah, we courted her together. But when she promised me, he stepped aside and that was an end to it.
Hash Knife Hartley
That's all I need to know. Jimmy, Tom's been aiming your neck straight for a noose.
W.C. Tuttle
What are you talking about?
Hash Knife Hartley
The fight between you and Ed Harmon gave him the idea to gun down Harmon and make you look like a killer.
W.C. Tuttle
Lies. They're all lies. Hartley can't prove nothing. Tom, we was friends since we was kids. We hunted and killed, fished and went sparking together. I trusted you. But now I'm calling you a lion yellow. I'll kill you. Nice shooting, Jimmy.
Hash Knife Hartley
Your number's up, Tom. Might be a good idea to try and clear yourself with Jimmy.
W.C. Tuttle
Yeah, Jimmy. Everything hardly seems it was true.
Hash Knife Hartley
And one thing more, Tom. You told Slim that Jimmy boasted of being a pinto fell.
W.C. Tuttle
That was a lie too. You see, I was helping.
Hash Knife Hartley
Listen again next week at this time.
W.C. Tuttle
When Sagebrush Theater will bring you another story of the old west, recorded from the library of radio programs of many years ago.
Hash Knife Hartley
This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.
W.C. Tuttle
Step into the world of power, loyalty and luck. I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse. With family. Cannolis and spins mean everything.
Hash Knife Hartley
Now you want to get mixed up.
W.C. Tuttle
In the family business. Introducing the godfather@champacasino.com test your luck on the shadowy world of the Godfather slot. Someday I will call upon you to.
Hash Knife Hartley
Do a service for me.
W.C. Tuttle
Play the Godfather now@Champacasino.com Welcome to the family.
Ritual Representative
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Podcast Summary: "Hashknife Hartley and Sleepy Stevens - 50-xx-xx (1) The Double Cross"
Podcast Information
In this episode, "The Double Cross," listeners are transported to the rugged landscapes of Arroyo City, where our protagonists, Hashknife Hartley and Sleepy Stevens, navigate through deception, betrayal, and hidden identities. The narrative unfolds with intense dialogue, dramatic confrontations, and surprising revelations that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
Setting the Scene Hashknife Hartley and Sleepy Stevens arrive in the outskirts of Arroyo City, seeking respite and a chance to lay down their lawless ways. Sleepy contemplates settling down as they pass a modest cottage, unaware of the turmoil brewing within the town.
Mysterious Tensions in Arroyo City Upon entering the town and taking refuge in the Silk Hat Saloon, the duo notices the bartender, Slim Conover, acting unusually distressed. Slim confides in Hashknife, revealing that he fears repercussions after misinforming certain locals about Otto Myers and Tom Knight, the town's sheriff and deputy.
The Interrupted Wedding A wedding ceremony is violently disrupted by Ed Harmon, a powerful local figure who forcibly separates the bride, Joy Harmon, from her intended, Jimmy Pierce. Hashknife and Sleepy witness the chaos, realizing that Harmon has dark intentions fueled by jealousy and control over the town's affairs.
Investigation and Revelation Hashknife and Sleepy delve deeper into the mystery surrounding Ed Harmon's demise. They encounter Deputy Tom Knight, who has his suspicions about Jimmy Pierce's involvement. Through a series of confrontations and revelations, it's unveiled that Harmon was secretly the notorious outlaw, El Pintado, who had eluded capture for years.
Slim Conover's Confession
[02:23]
Hashknife Hartley: "How's that?"
Slim Conover: "Well, remember that big Feller Ed Harmon... I loaned Tom my claw hammer coat."
Slim hints at deeper connections and possible motives behind his nervous behavior.
Tom Knight's Doubts
[05:26]
Hashknife Hartley: "Most killings ain't, Mr. Duffy."
Tom Knight: "I don't know what to think. I just can't figure Jimmy doing a thing like that."
Tom begins to question Jimmy Pierce's innocence, sowing seeds of doubt.
The Revelation of El Pintado
[14:15]
W.C. Tuttle: "It was Ed Harmon. Dead?"
Tom Knight: "It was El Pentado. Why?"
A pivotal moment where the true identity of Ed Harmon is exposed, reshaping the investigation.
Confrontation and Betrayal
[22:14]
Hashknife Hartley: "Was Tom Knight ever in love with Joy Harmon?"
Tom Knight: "Yeah, we courted her together."
Hashknife leverages personal relationships to unravel the tangled web of deceit.
Identity and Deception: The dual identity of Ed Harmon as El Pintado underscores the complexities of personal motives and the lengths individuals will go to protect their secrets.
Loyalty and Betrayal: Characters grapple with their allegiances, particularly Tom Knight's internal conflict between his duty and his past affections.
Justice and Vengeance: The quest for truth is marred by personal vendettas, raising questions about the nature of justice in a lawless land.
"The Double Cross" intricately weaves a tale of mystery and Western adventure, highlighting the perpetual struggle between truth and deception. Hashknife Hartley and Sleepy Stevens emerge as steadfast heroes, unraveling layers of betrayal that challenge their perceptions and allegiances. As the episode concludes, listeners are left anticipating the next chapter in this gripping saga, eager to follow the heroes as they continue their pursuit of justice in the untamed west.
Note: This episode masterfully combines classic Western tropes with engaging storytelling, making it a must-listen for fans of the genre and new audiences alike.